Milk Bar Birthday Cake (Printable Version)
Moist vanilla layers with creamy frosting and rainbow crumb, perfect for celebrating special moments.
# Ingredient List:
→ Cake
01 - 2 1/2 cups cake flour
02 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
03 - 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
04 - 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
05 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
06 - 1/3 cup vegetable shortening, room temperature
07 - 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
08 - 1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed
09 - 3 large eggs
10 - 1/2 cup buttermilk, room temperature
11 - 1/3 cup whole milk
12 - 2 teaspoons clear vanilla extract
13 - 1/4 cup rainbow sprinkles
→ Birthday Cake Crumb
14 - 1/2 cup cake flour
15 - 1/2 cup granulated sugar
16 - 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed
17 - 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
18 - 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
19 - 2 tablespoons rainbow sprinkles
20 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
21 - 1 tablespoon clear vanilla extract
→ Frosting
22 - 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
23 - 1/4 cup vegetable shortening, room temperature
24 - 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
25 - 1 tablespoon clear vanilla extract
26 - 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
27 - 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
28 - 1 to 2 tablespoons whole milk
→ Assembly
29 - 1/4 cup whole milk
30 - 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
# How to Make:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a quarter sheet pan (9x13 inches) and line with parchment paper.
02 - Whisk together cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl.
03 - Using a stand mixer, beat butter, shortening, granulated sugar, and brown sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Scrape down the bowl.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Reduce speed to low and add buttermilk, whole milk, and vanilla extract. Mix until combined.
05 - Gradually add dry ingredients on low speed, mixing just until incorporated. Fold in rainbow sprinkles by hand.
06 - Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake for 28-32 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely in the pan.
07 - Lower oven temperature to 300°F. In a bowl, combine flour, granulated sugar, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, and sprinkles. Add melted butter and vanilla, mixing with a fork until small clusters form.
08 - Spread crumb mixture on a lined baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, stirring halfway through. Cool completely.
09 - Beat butter, shortening, and cream cheese until smooth. Add vanilla and salt. Gradually beat in powdered sugar until fluffy. Add milk as needed for spreadable consistency.
10 - Whisk together whole milk and vanilla extract in a small bowl.
11 - Using a 6-inch cake ring, cut two full circles and two half circles from the cooled cake sheet.
12 - Place a cake round inside a lined 6-inch cake ring set on a cake board. Brush with vanilla soak. Spread 1/5 of frosting over the cake, sprinkle 1/3 of the crumbs. Repeat layering with half-circles, soak, frosting, and crumbs.
13 - Top with final cake round, soak, and finish with remaining frosting and crumbs. Chill for at least 1 hour or overnight. Remove ring and serve at room temperature.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The vanilla milk soak keeps every layer impossibly moist even after days in the fridge
- That crunch of birthday crumbs between creamy frosting layers is pure textural magic
02 -
- The vanilla milk soak is absolutely essential for that signature moist texture
- Let the cake chill in the ring for at least an hour or it will slump when you unmold it
03 -
- Use a warm, dry knife to get clean slices that show off all the beautiful layers
- Sprinkle extra birthday crumbs on top right before serving for maximum impact